2015 Dynasty Rookie Rankings: Consensus Second Round

Ken Kelly Posted On May 7, 2015

funchess

Editor’s Note: Make sure you’re ready for your fantasy league draft by checking out our ORANGE Report, the Rookie Draft Board, the IDP Rookie Draft Board our new multi-part Rookie Draft Study, our Rookie Draft Cheat Sheet and our archive, featuring over 100 in-depth articles already this year. Dominate your leagues, people!

We brought you the consensus first round earlier this week and now it’s time to turn our attention to round two. One thing to consider is these lists really consist of a snapshot in time. Our rankings are very much alive and each time someone tweaks a ranking or we add a new ranker to the bunch, some overall positions on the overall list may subtly change. In fact, our first round has already had some minor changes, though the same twelve players are still ranked in the top twelve.

These lists are really designed to give you the general area in which players are ranked as well as give you a basic idea of value for each of the rookies. It also shows just how close some players like Tevin Coleman and TJ Yeldon are at the bottom of round one. In the end, it’s going to come down to personal preference on a lot of the picks beyond the top tier of four.

The second round, as always, is littered with talented players who are risks to draft. Simply put, many of these players are going to be busts – they’ll either never make their mark in the league, fail to capitalize on an opportunity or just not have enough talent to survive in the NFL. Our extensive research shows us this is a simple fact. There are no sure things in this round, but that’s not to say there aren’t some very good dart throws out there. Odds are one or two of these players are going to prove to be steals of your draft. Now, which ones will they be? That’s the real question.

2.01 – Devin Funchess, WR CAR

The question with Funchess really revolves around what position he’ll play. He was drafted as a receiver, but looks a whole lot like an athletic tight end. At 6’5” and 232 pounds, he’s going to make for a big red zone target, regardless. He’s been labeled as soft and will need to step up his game, but he has unquestioned talent.

2.02 – Duke Johnson, RB CLE

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I’ve been seemingly trying to lock up the Cleveland running back situation since Earnest Byner was toting the rock and frankly, I’m tired of it. The Browns have a constant revolving door at the position and nobody has been able to truly stake claim to the job for years now. With Terrance West and Isaiah Crowell in town, it looks like Johnson will be part of a three-headed committee. Can one of them step up and be “the guy?” I have a feeling we’ll be asking this same “Browns running back” question next year, but Johnson could surprise.

2.03 – Jameis Winston, QB TB

In conventional leagues, quarterbacks just don’t have top-end value. To me, the ironic thing about Winston is the fact everyone was talking as if getting comfortable with him off the field was the only thing standing in the way of him being an elite quarterback in the NFL. My on the field concerns are just as big as he tends to throw some very ill-timed interceptions and a lot of picks in general. He needs to grow up in a lot of ways, but he has a very high ceiling.

2.04 – Marcus Mariota, QB TEN

Mariota is a classic boom or bust quarterback prospect. It would be great if he could get some time to develop, but it looks like the Titans are gearing up for him to start in week one. He needs Justin Hunter and Dorial Green-Beckham to step up and that makes me very nervous for obvious reasons. Still, Mariota is a great leader, has better skills than he’s getting credit for and could be a real gem at the position if he can make the adjustment to the NFL game.

2.05 – Maxx Williams, TE BAL

Our first tight end debuts at #17 on our big board and that seems about right to me. Williams has a ton of upside and landed in a great situation. The question is really if he can develop into a reliable high TE1 or if he’s going to be just another one of the players stuck in that low-end TE1 / high-end TE2 spot that seems to have a giant tier of similar scoring players.

2.06 – Phillip Dorsett, WR IND

Is it a great situation? I actually think that could be debated. The Colts are loaded at receiver with the likes of TY Hilton, Donte Moncrief, Andre Johnson, Duron Carter and Griff Whalen. The real value for Dorsett could be tied to the future of TY Hilton with the Colts. If he bolts, this could be a great value pick. If he stays and Dorsett only develops into their third receiver, you could probably do better. Still, this is a solid upside selection in the middle of round two – I’m always up for a few shares in Andrew Luck.

2.07 – David Johnson, RB ARI

Johnson starts the run of backs who have landed in decent situations, but have serious question marks. Johnson may be the best of the bunch, but the competition he faced at Northern Iowa was sub-par and the Cardinals still have a lot hitched to the wagon of Andre Ellington. In a best case scenario, Johnson establishes himself as a solid red zone and short yardage back and evolves into more if Ellington continues to struggle and gets hurt. In a worst case scenario, the Cardinals draft more of an elite option next year or turn to free agency to address their glaring need at the position.

2.08 – Jay Ajayi, RB MIA

Two weeks ago, there was no possible way you could get Ajayi at #20 overall in a rookie draft. However, before you go crazy and start telling your league mates how dumb they are for letting him slide, consider the fact the NFL knows a whole lot more than we do and he dropped for a reason. It’s highly possible Ajayi has a short career and won’t last past his rookie contract with his “bone-on-bone” condition. However, if he does remain healthy, he could seriously challenge Lamar Miller for carries in Miami and be a great value in a rookie draft. Ajayi represents the biggest boom or bust pick in this year’s draft.

2.09 – David Cobb, RB TEN

I love the end of round two because you can take some serious shots in the dark. Cobb could very well be better than Bishop Sankey and take over lead back duties for the Titans in the near future. If that happens, you have an absolute steal in your rookie draft. Unfortunately, there’s an equally great chance he doesn’t even make the team or stick with Tennessee long as a fifth round NFL Draft selection. Feeling lucky?

2.10 – Devin Smith, WR NYJ

A bit of a one trick pony, Smith makes his money on the deep routes as he averaged over 20 yards per catch in college. My fear with Smith is he becomes a more valuable player in the NFL than in fantasy. His role will be to take the top off a defense and open up lanes for Eric Decker and Brandon Marshall, which he should be pretty good at. However, you don’t get fantasy points for helping get others open. The best case scenario for Smith is he somehow turns into the next DeSean Jackson, but he’s likely never going to lead his team in catches.

2.11 – Sammie Coates, WR PIT

Another high upside, high risk pick is Sammie Coates. Routinely going in the bottom part of the first or top part of the second in pre-draft mocks, Coates finds himself on a depth chart stacked with receivers in Pittsburgh. He has talent to rival the best pass catchers in this class, but his hands are a serious question mark. The only saving grace is the fact the Steelers are traditionally very good at finding receivers in the draft. The bad part is you’re going to have to exhibit a ton of patience and watch him develop before he gets too many chances.

2.12 – Javorius “Buck” Allen, RB BAL

The Ravens need a long-term answer at the position since Justin Forsett likely only has a year or two left as their featured runner. Lorenzo Taliaferro has shown some promise, but there’s serious doubt he could really handle the full-time job. Allen has decent upside and could do well enough in the preseason to convince the Ravens to give him some chances this next year. At this point in your draft, you’re looking for dart throws. While this one may not hit the bullseye, there aren’t many other players out there who have this kind of an opportunity in front of them.

We’ll be back for our consensus round three later this week.

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Ken Kelly

Co-Founder at DynastyLeagueFootball

Ken is a corporate trainer by day an a tireless editor of dynasty content by night. His passion for the World Champion Seattle Seahawks is second only to his love of fantasy football and the dynasty format.

Ken is on Twitter at DLF_KenK